EdTechSR Ep 312: A Very Techy Holiday

Welcome to episode 312 (“A Very Techy Holiday”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 6, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) dived into their annual holiday gift guide, offering a wealth of suggestions for tech enthusiasts. The hosts explored a variety of categories, including family memories, cooking, meat smoking, tech gadgets for both Apple and non-Apple users, auto-related technology, and kitchy nerdy items. They shared personal insights and recommendations, making it easier for listeners to pick the perfect tech gifts. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of preserving oral history and family memories, providing tips and tools for capturing these invaluable stories. “Geeks of the Week” included ClipDrop and Wes’ Social Media Text Prepper on GitHub. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Draw Names (for group gift giving)
  10. Family Memory Gift Ideas: Walgreens Photo Mug (15 oz)Subscription to StoryworthFamily Oral History Interview
  11. Automotive-related Gifts: iOttie iPhone Car MountEmergency Keychain Car Escape Tool
  12. Device Charging Gifts: Amazon Basics 100W Four-Port GaN Wall ChargerAnker USB C Cable 100W 10ft
  13. Grilling / Meat Smoking / Cooking Gifts: iOS app for Recipies: Paprika 3 (All Wes and Wes’ mom’s recipes!) – Setup a WordPress Recipe WebsiteRecTeq RT-700 Bull Smoker (20% off!) – GMG Wood Fired Pizza AttachmentSmoker Pizza – Costco Frozen Pizza on a SmokerCostco Hardwood Pellets
  14. Jason’s Tech Shopping Strategies: Apple RefurbishedAmazon Refurbished
  15. Weird Brand Name on Amazon?  Try Temu
  16. Apple Gift Ideas: AirPods ProApple AirTag 4 PackAnker Magnetic Battery
  17. Non Apple People Gift Ideas: Soundcore by Ankersoundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC Wireless Earbuds 
  18. Kitchy Nerdal Gift: Tidbyt
  19. Build Your Tech Tool Bag: iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit
  20. More Cooking Gift Ideas: Airfryers are really awesomePizza Steels are greatOld Recipes on Reddit
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: ClipDrop
  22. Wes: Social Media Text Prepper (on GitHub)
EdTechSR Ep 312: A Very Techy Holiday” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer n

EdTechSR Ep 311 AI’s Evolving Landscape

Welcome to episode 311 (“AI’s Evolving Landscape”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 29, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) explored a range of topics primarily centered around the evolving world of artificial intelligence. Key discussions included the latest advancements in AI and their implications for both education and broader societal contexts. The episode delved into the ethical considerations of AI deployment, particularly focusing on transparency and ethical AI use. An interesting segment covered how AI is revolutionizing traditional sectors, like weather forecasting, providing more accurate and timely predictions. Additionally, the conversation turned to practical applications of AI in everyday life, such as the development of AI-powered tools for crafting more effective emails. The hosts also discussed the importance of local AI models and their potential to offer customized solutions tailored to specific regional needs and contexts. In the “Geeks of the Week” segment, Dr. Neiffer and Dr. Fryer shared their latest tech finds and recommendations, highlighting tools and resources that leverage AI in innovative ways. These included LM Studio (for running Large Language Models locally,) Wes’ “Dear John” letter abandoning Twitter at least, and the upcoming MediaEd Forum (online conference) in mid-January 2024.  Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Sam Altman fired as CEO of OpenAI (The Verge; 17 November 2023)
  10. Sam Altman to return as OpenAI CEO (Axios; 22 November 2023)
  11. Ethan Mollock on the Status of Models
  12. Introducing Claude 2.1 (Anthropic; 21 November 2023)
  13. AI’s Spicy-Mayo Problem (The Atlantic; 24 November 2023)
  14. AI outperforms conventional weather forecasting for the first time: Google study (ArsTechnica, 14 Nov 2023)
  15. Can Chatbots Help You Build a Bioweapon? (Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov 2023)
  16. YouTube cracks down on synthetic media with AI disclosure requirement (ArsTechnica, 15 Nov 2023)
  17. Podcast Recc: Decentralizing Innovation, with Techdirt’s Mike Masnick https://pca.st/xk7j0ntn 
  18. Sports Illustrated’s use of AI infuriates a staff already in turmoil (Washington Post, 28 Nov 2023) #GiftLink
  19. Jason’s Geek of the Week: LM Studio
  20. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Meet Me on Mastodon (My “Dear John Letter” to Twitter) and 17th MediaEd Forum (formerly the Northeast Media Literacy Conference) on Friday & Saturday, January 12-13, 2024
EdTechSR Ep 311 AI’s Evolving Landscape” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 310 OpenAI’s Educational Impact

Welcome to episode 310 (“OpenAI’s Educational Impact”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 15, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) dived deep into the world of AI, with a special focus on OpenAI’s advancements and their implications in education. Jason shared valuable insights from his recent presentation on AI at the National Rural Education National Forum. The episode covered the latest from OpenAI, including ChatGPT-4 Turbo and its fine-tuning programs, and how AI is reshaping educational materials and personalizing learning experiences. They also explored broader topics like social media, digital citizenship, and the ethical dimensions of AI in technology. The episode wrapped up with their personal experiences in experimenting with AI and the “Geeks of the Week” segment, featuring intriguing AI tools and applications. These included Snipd (an AI powered podcastching app) and Wes’ “Text Prepper” social media post chunking web app. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. AI fake nudes are booming. It’s ruining real teens’ lives. (Washington Post, 5 Nov 2023) #GiftLink
  10. How antisemitic hate groups are using artificial intelligence in the wake of Hamas attacks (CNN, 14 Nov 2023)
  11. Judge tosses social platforms’ Section 230 blanket defense in child safety case (ArsTechnica, 15 Nov 2023)
  12. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Snipd 
  13. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Wes’ Text Prepper –  How to Make a QR Code in Google Docs – wfryer.me/tips – Adobe Express QR Code Generator
EdTechSR Ep 310 OpenAI’s Educational Imp” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 309 AI Integration Explored

Welcome to episode 309 (“AI Integration Explored”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 8, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer and Dr. Wesley Fryer discussed a wide range of topics predominantly focused on AI’s integration into various aspects of technology and education. They covered the latest developments in Apple technology, including the new M3 chips and Macbook Pros. The conversation also touched upon Microsoft updates, particularly the integration of AI tools directly into Windows 11 and the release of Microsoft co-pilot for business users. In the realm of social media, they discussed the implications of changes in platforms like Twitter and the impact of these changes on historical record and fact-checking. The conversation then shifted to AI’s growing influence in education, with discussions about the use of AI tools like Canva for classroom activities, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in educational settings. Security and privacy concerns associated with technology were also addressed, including a discussion about air tags being used by police departments to track stolen vehicles. For their “Geeks of the Week” segment, Dr. Fryer highlighted his “Media Literacy Roundup” on his Substack, and Dr. Neiffer shared his rediscovery of NFC tags and their versatile applications. The podcast concluded with reflections on the potential and challenges of AI integration in various domains, emphasizing the need for ongoing exploration and understanding of these rapidly evolving technologies. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. American Federation of Teachers partners with AI identification platform, GPTZero (CBS News; 17 October 2023)
  10. Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (The White House)
  11. Google Search rolls out ‘About this image’ to help see if something was created by AI (9 to 5 Google; 25 October 2023)
  12. Canva launches free AI ‘Classroom Magic’ tools for educators (Mashable; 23 October 2023)
  13. Jason AI Experimentation: College Tools
  14. Elon Musk Broke All the Tools Historians Need to Archive Tweets About Israel-Gaza War (404 Media, 26 Oct 2023)
  15. Security
  16. AirTags are the new go-to tool for cops after spike in car thefts (ArsTechnica, 8 Nov 2023)
  17. OMG New Apple Stuff Again!
  18. Behind the scenes: An Apple Event shot on iPhone (2 min video from Apple)
  19. Luke Miani’s YouTube Channel
  20. The perfect BUDGET Apple Ecosystem doesn’t exist
  21. Microsoft Releases the Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) (Thurrott.com; 31 October 2023)
  22. Microsoft 365 Copilot Arrives Today (Thurrott.com; 1 November 2023)
  23. Jason’s Geek of the Week: CheapppppExamplesExamples
  24. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Media Literacy Roundup – Nov 6, 2023 (Substack)
EdTechSR Ep 309 AI Integration Explored” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 308 Exploring AI in Education

Welcome to episode 308 (“Exploring AI in Education”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 25, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of topics, focusing on the integration and implications of AI in education. Wes Fryer shared insights from his teaching experiences in Matthews, North Carolina, covering web design, computer applications, media literacy, and computer programming. Jason Neiffer talked about his involvement in meetings for the Montana Digital Academy discussing distance learning and AI, emphasizing the necessity for educators to engage with AI tools. Key discussions revolved around AI, including teachers’ awareness and concerns, and the need to focus on the learning process with AI in classrooms. The conversation touched upon technology news, AI experiments, and the ethical challenges posed by AI in educational settings. Social media’s influence on students and legal issues surrounding Meta were also discussed, along with the time teens spend on social media and the critical role of parental involvement. The episode featured conversations about AI’s role in generating academic content, and its integration in tools like Gmail for better email management. The episode concluded with a focus on Google’s AI-enhanced search features and the significant challenges AI presents in the educational landscape. “Geeks of the Week” included the Duck Duck Go web browser, Native iOS Voice Dictation in Chrome, Google’s SGE, a “Minecraft Mars Colony” coding project, Wes’ new background video, and Wes’ AI Tips and Tricks Google Doc. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Wes Experiments with AI: (student) Gamma.app Generated Websites
  10. ISTE’s Stretch AI: https://info.iste.org/stretch-ai
  11. Bard can now connect to your Google apps and services (Google Blog, 19 Sept 2023)
  12. 33 States Sue Meta, Say It Knowingly Addicted Kids to Social Media (Gizmodo, 24 Oct 2023)
  13. Teens Spend Average of 4.8 Hours on Social Media Per Day (Gallup; 13 October 2023)
  14. Jim Jordan’s Conspiratorial Quest for Power: How the Ohio Republican built an insurgent bid for Speaker on the lies of Donald Trump. (New Yorker, 21 Oct 2023)
  15. Google’s AI-powered search experience can now generate images, write drafts (TechCrunch, 12 Oct 2023)
  16. Qualcomm will try to have its Apple Silicon moment in PCs with “Snapdragon X” (Ars Technica; 11 October 2023)
  17. Jason’s Geek of the Week: DuckDuckGo Browser, for Windows and Mac
  18. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Native iOS Voice Dictation in ChromeGoogle’s SGEMinecraft Mars ColonyWes’ new background videoWes’ AI Tips and Tricks
EdTechSR Ep 308 Exploring AI in Education” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 307: AI-Driven Education Insights

Welcome to episode 307 (“AI-Driven Education Insights”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 11, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of pressing topics in the intersection of technology and education. They delved into the latest developments in AI and its impact on educational practices, with a specific focus on how AI tools are transforming teaching methodologies and student engagement. The episode also covered the recent advancements and the educational applications of the Raspberry Pi 5, emphasizing its significance in the Maker movement and STEM education. Furthermore, the hosts explored the evolving landscape of tech policy, highlighting key legislative changes that affect both educators and students. They provided insights into the shifting paradigms of social media monetization, discussing how these changes influence digital literacy and online behavior among students. The episode also touched upon the advancements in voice technology and the critical aspect of user security, particularly in educational settings. “Geeks of the Week” included Librarian AI: “Discover your next favorite book Powered by AI,” a podcast interview with one of Wes’ middle school students who moderates commercial livestreams, and support for Mastodon Lists in Flipboard. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Actor Stephen Fry says his voice was stolen from the Harry Potter audiobooks and replicated by AI—and warns this is just the beginning (Fortune, 15 Sept 2023) – Archive.Ph Link
  10. Activist Hackers Are Racing Into the Israel-Hamas War—for Both Sides (Wired, 9 Oct 2023)
  11. MakerSpace Warfare: “In Ukraine, explosive DIY drones give an intimate view of killing” (Washington Post, 4 Oct 2023) #GiftLink
  12. Why NASA Chose WordPress for Revamping Its Flagship Website (WP Tavern, 6 Oct 2023)
  13. For All Userkind: NASA Web Modernization and WordPress (VIDEO, 47 min)
  14. Digital Empires: A Conversation with Anu Bradford (Tech Policy Press podcast, 8 Oct 2023)
  15. The Supreme Court will decide if state laws limiting social media platforms violate the Constitution (AP, 29 Sept 2023)
  16. Food Science: Stories about things we eat (The Story Collider podcast, 8 Sept 2023)
  17. Meta Plans to Charge $14 a Month for Ad-Free Instagram or Facebook (The Wall Street Journal; 3 October 2023)
  18. Google Kills Jamboard: “The next phase of digital whiteboarding for Google Workspace” (Google Workspace blog, 28 Sept 2023)
  19. The Teacher’s Guide for Transitioning from Jamboard to FigJam (Tom Mullaney, 28 Sept 2023)
  20. FigJam for Schools Advanced Webinar (Eric Curts, 11 Oct 2023)
  21. Google’s 7-Year commitment to Pixel 8 is for both software and hardware alike (ChromeUnboxed; 10 October 2023)
  22. Introducing Chromebook Plus: the new standard for fast, capable, fun-to-use devices [VIDEO] (Chrome Unboxed; 2 October 2023)
  23. Google is already bringing back the software features it removed because of Sonos’ lawsuit (Verge, 10 Oct 2023)
  24. The Raspberry Pi 5 is finally here (The Verge; 28 September 2023)
  25. The Death of Netflix DVD Marks the Loss of Something Even Bigger (Slate; 21 September 2023)
  26. Jason’s Geek of the Week: https://www.librarian-ai.com/ 
  27. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Ep 482: Moderating Livestreams with Cool Kicks – An Interview with 7th Grader “G”Flipboard Supports Mastodon Lists!
EdTechSR Ep 307: AI-Driven Education Insights” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 306 Multimodal AI: Ethical Dilemmas

Welcome to episode 306 (“Multimodal AI: Ethical Dilemmas”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 27, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a broad spectrum of topics at the intersection of technology and education. Key discussions included the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly multimodal capabilities of ChatGPT and the ethical concerns surrounding technologies like Clearview AI. Jason Neiffer shared his insights on the iPhone 15 Pro, delving into its features and potential drawbacks. The episode also covered social media developments, notably Twitter’s Community Notes feature aimed at mitigating misinformation. Further, the hosts examined the integration of AI in various platforms, such as Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s recent projects, highlighting the swift progress and expansive potential of AI in everyday applications. Real-world perspectives were provided through Jason’s experiences with student groups and Wesley’s classroom interactions, offering practical viewpoints on technology usage. The episode wrapped up with the “Geeks of the Week” segment, with Wes sharing the Ezra Klein Show podcast from September 12, 2023, “America’s Top Librarian on the Rise of Book Bans, the Amazon Prime movie, “A Million Miles Away,” and Jason sharing the AI website TheresAnAIforThat.com. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. ChatGPT update enables its AI to “see, hear, and speak,“ according to OpenAI (ArsTechnica, 25 Sept 2023)
  10. ChatGPT can now see, hear, and speak (OpenAI blog, 25 Sept 2023)
  11. Bard can now connect to your Google apps and services (Google Blog, 19 Sept 2023)
  12. AI Lie: Machines Don’t Learn Like Humans (And Don’t Have the Right To) (Tom’s Hardware, 13 Sept 2023)
  13. Clearview AI
  14. Breaking Bard + Who Owns Your Face? + Gamer News! (Hard Fork Podcast, 22 Sept 2023)
  15. Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startup’s Quest to End Privacy as We Know It by Kashmir Hill
  16. The Technology Facebook and Google Didn’t Dare Release (NY Times, 9 Sept 2023)
  17. [VIDEO] documentary: Microsoft & OpenAI CEOs: Dawn of the AI Wars | The Circuit with Emily Chang (Bloomberg Originals, late August 2023)
    • featuring interviews with Sam Altman of OpenAI & Satya Nadella of Microsoft. “AI moving from auto-pilot to co-pilot. Do NOT trust any 1 company or person with this technology.” (24 minutes)
  18. Share: Michigan Virtuals AI Toolkit for Schools
  19. Jason’s AI Resources: http://halfpint.link/aibrief 
  20. Demo of LLM Claude 2 generating answers to a New York Regents test. (4 min)
  21. OMG Jason Bought an iPhone 15 Pro!
  22. iPhone 15 Pro’s overheating issues possibly explained and a fix is on the way (Macworld; 27 September 2023)
  23. “Community Notes” on X / Twitter (A Good Example)
  24. Top librarian calls ‘Marxist lesbian’ tweet backlash ‘regrettable’ (NBC News, 7 Aug 2023)
  25. Ukrainian Drone Demo Thread (@saintjavelin, 18 Sept 2023)
  26. Jason’s Geek of the Week: https://theresanaiforthat.com/ 
  27. Wes’ Geeks of the Week:  America’s Top Librarian on the Rise of Book Bans (Ezra Klein Show, 12 Sept 2023) – “A Million Miles Away” (Amazon Prime)
Multimodal AI: Ethical Dilemmas” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 305 USB-C Apple Evolution

Welcome to episode 305 (“USB-C Apple Evolution”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 13, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) delved into a range of exciting and significant topics in the tech world. Key discussions included the ongoing evolution of Apple’s products with a special focus on their transition to USB-C, reflecting a major shift in their design philosophy and user interface. The episode also highlighted advancements in AI and its burgeoning role in education, underscoring both the opportunities and challenges it presents to educators and students alike. Further, the hosts explored the broader tech landscape, discussing the current state of technology markets and the challenges facing tech companies as they navigate a period of correction and change. The conversation also ventured into the thrilling realm of space exploration, showcasing the latest developments and missions that continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and capability. Ethics in technology, particularly regarding AI, formed a crucial part of the discussion, with insights into the latest guidelines and ethical considerations that are shaping the development and deployment of AI technologies. Throughout the episode, Dr. Neiffer and Dr. Fryer provided their expert analysis and perspectives, making complex topics accessible and engaging for their audience. “Geeks of the Week” included “AI Guidelines for Students” (from Wes) and the AI-powered meme generator “www.supermeme.ai” (from Jason.) Join us for this insightful episode as we explore the intersections of technology, education, and society. Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer Twitter: @wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. PROOF POINTS: It’s easy to fool ChatGPT detectors (The Hechinger Report; 4 September 2023)
  10. In Praise of Boring AI (One Useful Thing from Ethan Mollick; 2 August 2023)
  11. 6 tips to detect AI-generated student work (eSchool News; 6 September 2023)
  12. The iPhone Is Finally Getting USB-C. Here’s What That Means (Wired, 12 Sept 2023)
  13. France halts iPhone 12 sales over radiation levels (BBC News, 12 Sept 2023)
  14. United States takes on Google in biggest tech monopoly trial of 21st century (NPR, 11 Sept 2023)
  15. Judge in US v. Google trial didn’t know if Firefox is a browser or search engine (ArsTechnica, 12 Sept 2023)
  16. Just because Americans love Google doesn’t make it a monopoly. Biden lawsuit goes too far. (USA Today, 12 Sept 2023)
  17. Threads blocks searches related to covid and vaccines as cases rise (Washington Post, 11 Sept 2023) #GiftLink
  18. SpaceX says Starlink ‘network issue’ has been resolved (Verge, 12 Sept 2023)
  19. Japan launches ‘moon sniper’ lunar lander SLIM into space (Reuters, 7 Sept 2023)
  20. Coming Soon: A Brand New TextExpander for Chrome (Text Expander Blog; 12 September 2023)
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: https://www.supermeme.ai/ 
  22. Wes’ Geek of the Week: AI Guidelines for Students
EdTechSR Ep 305 USB-C Apple Evolution” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 304 Privacy Laws, Please!

Welcome to episode 304 (“Privacy Laws, Please!”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 6, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed exciting developments and educational impacts related to artificial intelligence (AI). They highlighted new AI-powered tools like Claude and Poe that summarize documents and provide customized assistance. Jason explained how these tools have streamlined his workflow, saving him hours of time processing information. The hosts also addressed concerns about generative AI, including the creation of inappropriate content. They analyzed the complications arising from open access to AI models. In addition, Jason and Wes talked about new Google Workspace features involving AI, like automated meeting summaries. They speculated on the future integration of AI into platforms like YouTube and Zoom. Shifting focus, the pair addressed updates involving Apple products, Huawei smartphones, and connected cars and privacy. They emphasized the need for privacy regulations. Discussion also centered on censorship and content moderation on social media platforms. Wrapping up, Jason and Wes shared their “Geeks of the Week,” including a TED talk from Sal Khan about AI in education, a podcast on political impacts of AI, and Khan Academy’s AI platform, Khanmigo. The show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechSR on Twitter and @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and claude.ai, as well as options for our show title!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer Twitter: @wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. AI-generated child sex imagery has every US attorney general calling for action (ArsTechnica, 6 Sept 2023)
  10. Zoom’s New ‘AI Companion’ Will Catch You Up When You’re Late to Meetings (CNet, 6 Sept 2023)
  11. OpenAI seeks to dismiss majority of Sarah Silverman’s and authors’ claims in ChatGPT lawsuits (Venture Beat; 29 August 2023)
  12. Zoom’s New ‘AI Companion’ Will Catch You Up When You’re Late to Meetings (ZDNet, 6 Sept 2023)
  13. Poe.com: Quora’s “Metacrawler” of Chatbots (free version available; pro is $20/month)
  14. Perplexity.AI: Research-focused AI chat bot (free version available; pro is $20/month); quotes citations
  15. Connected cars are a “privacy nightmare,” Mozilla Foundation says (ArsTechnica, 6 Sept 2023)
  16. These academics studied falsehoods spread by Trump. Now the GOP wants answers (Washington Post, 6 June 2023)
  17. X sues hate speech researchers whose “scare campaign” spooked Twitter advertisers (ArsTechnica, 1 Aug 2023)
  18. A low-cost Macbook is reportedly in the works to take on Chromebooks (CHrome Unboxed; 5 September 2023)
  19. Now Available: Duet AI for Google Workspace (Google Workspace Blog; 29 August 2023)
  20. Google Docs just got a new AI-powered proofreading tool (ZDNet; 30 August 2023)
  21. Google Docs adds new AI-driven proofreading option to help you create high quality writing (Chrome Unboxed; 30 August 2023)
  22. Forget subtitles: YouTube now dubs videos with AI-generated voices (Rest of World; 27 July 2023)
  23. From the Yikes Department: Microsoft retracts AI-written article advising tourists to visit a food bank on an empty stomach (Engadget; 18 August 2023)
  24. All hail the new EU law that lets social media users quiet quit the algorithm (Tech Crunch; 25 August 2023)
  25. Huawei’s Mate 60 smartphone should have been impossible (Creative Bloq, 6 Sept 2023)
  26. For John Green, the Battle Over Access to Books Has Gotten Personal #GiftLink (NYTimes, 31 Aug 2023)
  27. Jason’s AI Workflow for Recorded Meeting Keyword Monitoring
    1. Download a podcast
    2. Create a transcript with Word 365 Online
    3. Run it through a LLM
    4. Prompt: As the Executive Director of the Montana State virtual school, I am interested in virtual education policies, technologies, and best practices for K-12 education. I am also focused on the development of study and online learning skills in students, educational technology, AI in education, and social studies and humanities education. Please provide a summary of an article that highlights the 5-10 major points most relevant to my role and context.
  28. Wes’ EdTechSR podcast summary workflow
    1. YouTubeTranscript.com
    1. Google Docs: Save as PDF
    2. Ingest into https://claude.ai/
    3. Saved prompt: Summarize in the style of this past example…
    4. Generate 10 clever, 3 word titles for the show…
  29. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Taking Seriously The Threats Posed by A.I., with Tristan Harris – 
  30. Wes’ Geek of the Week: How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education by Sal Khan – Khanmigo
…Privacy is a Function of Liberty – Ed” (CC BY 2.0) by PunkToad

EdTechSR Ep 303 Happy Birthday Google!

Welcome to Episode 303 (“Happy Birthday Google!”) of the EdTech Situation Room from August 30, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of technology topics, analyizing the latest news at the intersection of education and technology. They covered the 25th Birthday of Google, developments in artificial intelligence, including Google’s new image generation tool in Google Slides, a watermarking technique from Google to help track AI-generated images, and Ideogram, a powerful new free AI image generation tool Neiffer discovered. Fryer shared insights on military AI, highlighting the US Air Force’s plans to use autonomous drone “wingmen” alongside human pilots. The hosts also talked about upcoming Apple announcements, anticipating the likely release of the iPhone 15. They weighed the potential benefits of switching to USB-C charging and the need for schools to adapt. Social media topics included Facebook’s staff cuts impacting content moderation, lawsuits against tech companies related to student mental health, and the risks of election misinformation with weakened oversight. In other news, hosts highlighted the new US Cybersecurity Trustmark for IoT devices and Google’s plans to integrate AI writing assistance across Chromebooks. For their “Geeks of the Week,” Fryer shared a tutorial on using Voice Memos for student oral history projects, and Neiffer highlighted a deal on the MacBook Air M1, praising its speed and value. The show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechSR on Twitter and @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and claude.ai, as well as options for our show title!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer Twitter: @wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. OMG APPLE EVENT
  10. Google is 25 Years Old!!! (Android Police; 8 August 2023)
  11. AI images are getting harder to spot. Google thinks it has a solution (The Washington Post; 29 August 2032)🎁Link
  12. Guy Puts Artist Back Into AI System After He Begs to Be Removed (Futurism , 2 Aug 2023)
  13. Stephen Wolfram on Computational Thinking (Wes’ blog post from 7 Aug 2023)
  14. A.I. Brings the Robot Wingman to Aerial Combat (NY Times, 27 Aug 2023) 🎁Link
  15. AI Image Generation in Google Slides is Here (Flipped Classroom via YouTube)
  16. Google’s “Help Me Write” AI is coming to Chromebooks on a system-wide level (Chrome Unboxed; 25 August 2023)
  17. Following Elon Musk’s lead, Big Tech is surrendering to disinformation (Washington Post, 25 Aug 2023) 🎁Link
  18. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education sues social media companies over mental health impacts (25 Aug 2023) 
  19. The ‘US Cyber Trust Mark’ finally gives device makers a reason to spend big on security (TechCrunch, 23 Aug 2023)
  20. Jason’s Geek of the Week: MacBook Air M1 on Sale! 
  21. Wes’ Geek of the Week: [VIDEO] Sharing Voice Memos (Family Oral History Project) – full lesson
Google Birthday Box!” (CC BY 2.0) by clevercupcakes